8 ways to show love to locals this Valentine’s Day

If anyone needs some extra love this Valentine’s Day, it’s small-business owners.

That’s why we found some ways to show the love locally while you show the love to your partner, galentine or, heck, even yourself.

“February is historically one of the slowest months of the year for our local businesses,” said Sadie Swier, community outreach director for Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. “So Valentine’s Day is a great way to show your love for not only that someone special but our downtown businesses!”

Whatever your love language or Valentine’s Day style, there’s a way to celebrate and keep the money you spend in the Sioux Falls community.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Take a night out on the town: Is your love language good food? You’re in the right town. Restaurants across the city have specials for couples on Valentine’s Day, and some spots are offering additional entertainment.

Catch the Hegg Brothers and JAS Quintet at R Wine Bar & Kitchen, or stop by Severance Brewing Co., which is teaming up with Intoxibakes for a dessert and beer pairing event. And how about showing the love to a local establishment online? Leave some positive reviews for your favorites, and you’ll make their day.

Stay in, but make it fancy: Sticking to a date night in this year? You can still set a romantic mood with flowers and charcuterie. Floras & Bouquets is teaming up with Cultivated in Love to offer multiple Valentine’s Day packages with options for a large or small floral arrangement and large or small charcuterie spreads.

You also can enjoy some at-home entertainment with a virtual variety show from the Good Night Theatre Collective.

Show some love to your galentine: Let’s be honest, your gal pals have helped you through a lot this year, from Zoom wine nights to venting about the challenges of remote work and existing during a pandemic. Send that special lady in your life a heart-shaped box of macarons from CH Patisserie — and then invite her over so you can share.

Treat yo’ self: Whether it’s a coffee from your favorite local spot, a mani-pedi at a local salon or just buying that cute sweater you keep walking past in the window of the boutique by your office, make a point to do a little something special for you this weekend.

Make your own getaway with a ‘staycation’: OK, so maybe you missed the romantic getaway you had planned for last year. Don’t sweat. Hotels have had a particularly tough year during the pandemic, so show them — and you — some love by booking a night away. If you need a place to start, check out Hotel on Phillips’ Valentine’s Day special. Spoiler: It involves chocolate AND rose petals on the bed.

Show the love with dinner and a movie: The State Theatre is teaming up with Fernson Brewing Co. for a dinner and a movie special. Start with tacos, fries, doughnuts and drinks at the taproom, and then walk over to the theater for a showing of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” on Saturday and “Notting Hill” on Sunday. Tickets are $60 and available at Fernson Downtown.

Find a valentine activity the kids will love: No need to tell the kids to “let it go.” You can bring the Ice Queen directly to your door through Simply Ever After Entertainment’s Valentine event. The queen will begin delivering valentines, including a box of candy and/or a teddy bear starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

News they’ll love: Forget love birds; we’re all about pigeons. Know someone in your life who’d appreciate feeling more connected to the place they call home? Invite them to adopt a pigeon with Pigeon605 and watch their spirits lift too!